Apparatus for treating oils



Dec. 29, 1931. H. P. BENNER 1,839,010

APPARATUS FOR TREATING OILS Filed Sept. 17, 1923 Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY I. BENNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORTO UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA APPARATUS FOR TREATING OILS Application filed September 17, 1928. Serial No. 663,069.

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating hydrocarbon oils and refers more particularly to an apparatus for treating hydrocarbon oils under heat and pressure to Sproduce hydrocarbons of low boiling point.

In the apparatus-hereinafter more particularly described, I can produce, by means of revaporizing the cracked distillate, preferably at atmospheric pressure, and subjecting these latter vapors to condensation, a waterwhite or substantially water-white distillate, conforming to the Navy specifications for commercial gasoline and free from certain of the objectionable compounds normally prescut in cracked distillate, to remove which latter requires an expensive treatment.

, In addition, in this apparatus, it is possible by so regulating the temperature of the vapors passing into the rectifier hereinafterexplained, to produce .a product which has a' predetermined boiling point, end point and. gravity. 1

As an additional feature of the apparatus, I provide means for introducing with the heated oil from the heating coils, the pressure distillate bottoms which are lighter in gravity and in which the carbon particles precipitated in the expansion chamber will be suspended. By accurately regulating the amount of pressure distillate bottoms allowed to return to the expansion chamber, I can so keep the carbon in suspension that it will be drawn oil with the residuum constantly, thereby eliminating the usual objectionable carbon difliculties experienced in the cracking of oil. f a

As another feature of my improved apparatus, I provide means for withdrawing the residuum with the carbon suspended therein,

4O reducing the pressure, if desired, to say atmospheric or vacuum and distil it under its latent heat to vaporize whatever light products may be contained therein. I may provide means for separately condensing these vapors and returning this product with the cracked distillates.

All of the above features are preferably carried out as part of a continuous operation.

The single figure of the drawing is a diagrammatic side elevational view, of the preferred form of my apparatus, with parts in section. 4

Referring in detail to the drawing, the charging stock, hereinafter explained, is forced from any suitable source of supply through the line 1, which is provided with the valve 2 to the preheating tubes 3, which tubes may be from 3" to 8" in diameter, which are positioned in the furnace 4, provided with the baffle wall 5, and is heated by burner 5a. The furnace may be heated in the usual manner by any of the well known methods of applylng heat. The charging stock is here preheated to a cracklngor vaporizing temperature without substantial precipitation of carbon in the tubes and passed through the transfer line 6, controlled by valve 7 to the expansion chamber 8, where vaporization takes place. This expansion chamber may consist of a long horizontal shell or it may take the form of a vertical chamber or any other type of expansion chamber used which may be found desirable. This expansion chamber may or may not be positioned in the fire zone. In the present instance, it is shown as being positioned within the furnace 8a heated by the burner 86 and provided with the stack. 80, and subjected to the heat of the furnace. It will be noted that the transfer line and expansion chamber may be heavily lagged to prevent radiation of heat.

' I have shown in the preferred form of apparatus here described heating tubes and an expansion chamber. may use a single shell still of the 'usual type to accomplish the purpose of preheating and vaporizing,

or other types which may be found desirable.

The. vapors pass through the line 9 controlled by valve 10 to an enclosed liquid tight dephlegmator apparatus 10a, which in this instance takes the form of a harp condenser having a lower header 11 and up r header 12 connected by vertically exten ing pipes 13. This harp dephlegmator is supported in an enlarged chamber 14, the pur ose of which will be hereinafter explame The vapors pass through the harp dephlegmator 10a, then through the line 15 controlled by valves 16 to a condenser 1?, where theywill be condensed and passed to receiver 18. This receiver is equipped with the usual pressure gauge, pressure relief pipe, controlled by suitable valve, distillate drawoif line controlled by valve, and gauge for ascertaining the height of liquid therein. It is not considered necessaryto describe thbse in detail as they are the usual appurtenances. The reflux condensate from the harp dephlegmator 10a falls back through the line 18a, in which is interposed the valve 186, and is connected to the expansion chamber 8.

Referring now to one of the features of my invention, I provide means for passing the distillate from the receiver, under the pressure of the system, through the line '19 into the dephlegmator 20. In this line 19 are interposed valves 21 for throttling the pressure and reducing it below the pressure maintained on the preceding portion of the system, and if desirable, to atmospheric. Adjacent one of the valves 21 is connected to the line 19, a drawoft line 22, controlled by valve 23, for releasing this pressure from the line. The distillate, at atmospheric pressure, will slowly fall in a downward course through the dephlegmator 20, being retarded by the baffles 24 therein. In its passage therethrough the low boiling point fractions of this distillate will revaporize, passing upward through the line 25, controlled by valve 26, and passing through the condenser 26a to the receiver 26?). The unvaporized distillate will flow down into the enlarged chamber or pressure distillate rectifier 14, in which the harp dephlegmator is supported, and preferably entirely surrounds the harp dephlegmator when in operation. If it should be desiredto introduce the cracked pressure distillate direct to the enlarged chamber 14, I provide a pipe 20a controlled by valve 206 connected to the side of the chamber 14. In this event, of course, the upper valve 21 would be closed and lower valve 21 and valve 206 would be opened.

Referring now to the return of the pressure distillate bottoms, or more particularly, the still unvaporized heavy ends of the cracked distillate, they are drawn ofl:' from the enlarged chamber 14 through the line 27, controlled by valve 28, beyond the junction of which is interposed a hot oil pump 29. This hot oil pump may be by-passed by means of the by-pass line 30, and the manipulation of thevalves 31, 32 and 33. The line 27 has a continuation beyond the pump and bypass just referred to, leading to a cooler 34 and usual receiver (not shown). In the operation of the apparatus, if it is desired to return the pressure distillate bottoms, which are, of course, of a relatively low boiling point, to the expansion chamber, mixed just before entering, for example with the raw oil being introduced thereto, it will only be necessary to close valve 31 in the by-pass line, and valve 33 beyond the pump and then pump the heated ressure distillate bottoms to the expansion 0 amber through the line 36 controlled by valve 37.

On the other hand, it may be desirable to cool the pressure distillate bottoms and return them, either to the raw oil line or collect them in suitable storage. In this event, valve 31 in the byass line is opened and valves 32 and 33 ad acent the pump closed, and the hot pressure distillate bottoms allowed to pass to the cooler 34 and disposed of as previously explained, either to suitable storage or returned by means of a pump (not shown) to the raw oil line. I

Referring more in detail to the object of combining the reflux from the harp dephlegmator, the raw oil and pressure distillate bottoms, and feeding this mixture into the eX- pansion chamber, it will be understood that the pressure distillate bottoms will considerably lighten the liquid flowing therein. In other words, the pressure distillate bottoms being much lighter in gravity, will mix with the'raw oil and reflux and the resultant liq- .uid will be lighter in gravity than the reflux and raw oil. It is a well known fact that carbon particles will be carried in suspension much more readily in a lighter gravity liquid than they will in a heavier gravity liquid. By the continuous introduction of the mixture described above, the carbon precipitated in the expansion chamber 8 will be carried in suspension and will be constantly agitated by the incoming liquid. In this manner, there will be very little opportunity for the carbon particles to deposit on the bottom of the expansion chamber 8 and by continuously withdrawing the residuum through the line 38, controlled by the valve 39, it is possible to withdraw the major portion of the carbon particles in the residuum.

The expansion chamber 8 is provided with the pressure gauge 43 for the purpose of ascertaining at all times the pressure maintained in the cracking system. During a continuous operation, the heat radiated from the vapors when being subjected to reflux condensation will be absorbed by the incoming cracked distillate, causing an increasing amount of the latter to vaporize, governed by the amount of heat to which it is subjected. It may be found preferably, as in the present instance, to have two furnaces, one for the preheating coils and the other for the expansion chamber, in order that the oil in the expansion chamber may be heated to a higher temperature, if desired. Due to the quantity of reflux and pressure distillate bottoms going back into the expansion chamber 14, carbon is held in suspension and readily passes out with the residuum.

An illustrative run of the apparatus is as follows: Gas oil of say 32-35 Baum gravity, from-the Mid-continent field, may be fed into the preheating tubes 3 and there pretem for further treatment, or may be withdrawn for some other purpose. The oil in the vaporizing chamber may be further heated to say, 750 to 1000 F, or higher if desired. Theentire cracking system may be maintained under a'pressureot say, 25 to i 200 pounds, generated by the vapors and controlled by the various valves and incondens-.

able gas outlets described. If desired, certain parts of the apparatus may be maintained under a reduced or atmospheric pressure.

The pressure distillate may be forced into the top of the dephlegmator 20, the pressure being reduced to say, atmospheric, and there, the light ends will revaporize, due to the heat radiated from the vapors passing through the so-called harp dephlegmatqr. As the pressure distillate. passes downwardly by gravity, increasingportions will revaporize, as they are subjected to increasing heat on their downward passage. These vapors are continuously drawn otl, condensed and collected as explained. The pressure distillate Y bottoms or heavy ends of this cracked pressure distillate which do not vaporize by con tact with the heat radiated from the vapors, will be pumped into the cracking system, either mixed with reflux and raw oil, or both, or unmixed with either. The residuum is continuously drawn off from the expansion chamber 8 and may be subjected to further distillation at atmospheric pressure, or under a vacuum of say 1 to 6 of mercury where part of this residuum will distil due to the residual heat retained therein.

By operating the apparatusin this manner, I can produce 80% of gasoline from the above described charging stock, this gaso line having all the characteristics and conforming with the specifications of the socalled Navy specification commercial gasoline. In other words, without further refining, I produce a commercial product in quantit-ies far above that produced by any of the apparatus now in use, of which I am aware.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oil, comprising a heating coil, an en larged reaction chamber, a dephlegmator, a condenser and receiver serially, connected, means for maintaining a superatmospheric pressure on the oil undergoing treatment in the apparatus, means including a container for passing pressure distillate from said reon the oil undergoing treatment in the ceiver in heat interchange with vapors in said dephlegmator, means for condensing vapors evolved from the pressure distillate as a result of said heat interchange, means for maintaining a lower pressure on the pressure distillate passing in heat interchange relation with vapors in the dephlegmator than is maintained in the remaining portions ofthe apparatus, and means for returning unvaporized portions of the pressure distillate which has passed in heat interchange relation with vapors in the dephlegmator directly and without further heat treatment to said enlarged reaction chamber.

2. An apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oil, comprising a heating coil disposed within a-furnace, an enlarged reaction chamber, a transfer line connecting said heating coil with said enlarged reaction chamber, a dephlegmator, means for conveying vapors from said chamber to said dephlegmator, means for condensing vapors issuing from said dephlegmator, means for collecting the resulting distillate, means for maintaining a superatmospheric pressure on the oil undergoing treatment in the apparatus, a container in heat interchange relation with the vapors in said dephlegmator, means for returning pressure distillate from said receiver to said container in heat interchange relation with the vapors in said dephlegmator, to permit redistillation of substantial quantities of saidipressure distillate, means for taking 0E vapors resulting from the redistillation of the pressure distillate from said container, and means for returning unvaporized portions of suchpressure distillate directly and without passage through said furnace from said container to said transfer line. i

3. An apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oil comprising a heating means, an enlarged reaction chamber, a conduit for delivering heated oil from said means to said reaction chamber, a dephlegmator connected to said reaction chamber, a condenser and receiver associated with said dephlegmator, a container in indirect heat exchange relation with said dephlegmator, means for returning pressure distillate from said receiver to said container in heat interchange relation with vapors in said dephlegmator, means for condensing vapors evolved from the pressure distillate in said container, and means for introducing unvaporized portions of the pressure distillate from said container into said conduit for introduction to said enlarged reaction chamber.

4. An apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oil, comprising a heating coil, an enlarged reaction chamber, a dephlegmator, a con:- denser and receiver serially connected, means for maintaining superatmospheric pressure ratus, means for passing pressure distillate Q from said receiver in heat interchange with returning unvaporized portions of the pres-' sure distillate which was passed in heat interchange relation with vapors in the dephlegmator directly and without further heat treatment to said enlarged reaction chamber.

5. Apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oil, comprising in combination, means for heating the oil to a cracking temperature under superatmospheric pressure, an enlarged reaction chamber, means for discharging the heated oil from said heating means into said reaction chamber, means for taking off vapors from'said reaction chamber, means for subjecting said vapors to reflux condensation, means for deriving a pressure distillate from vapors uncondensed by said reflux condensation, a heat interchange device associated with said reflux condensing means, means for passing a portion of said pressure distillate to said heat interchange device, in heat interchange relation with the vapors undergoing reflux condensation, means for y condensing vapors evolved from said pressure distillate as a result of the heat interchange,.means for maintaining a lower pressure on the pressure distillate passing in heat interchangerelation with the vapors undergoing reflux condensation than is maintained in other portions of the apparatus, and means i for returning unvaporized portions of the pressure distillate which has passed in heat interchange relation with the Vapors-undergoing reflux condensation directly and without further heat treatment to said enlarged reaction chamber.

6. In apparatus of the character described, comprising a heating coil, an enlarged reaction chamber, a dephlegmator, and a condenser serially connected, the improvement which comprises means for passing an oil having the characteristics of the desired product in heat interchange relation with the vapors in said dephlegmator to distil said'oil, means for taking off vapors resulting from distillation of said oil from said heat interchange means, and means for returning unvaporized portions of said oil directly and without intermediate heat treatment to a portion of the serially connected apparatusbetweensaidcoil and said dephleg nator.

7. A hydrocarbon oil cracking apparatus comprising a heating coil, an enlarged chamber, a dephlegmator, a condenser and a re ceiver serially connected in the order mentioned; means for passing distillate from said receiver in heat exchange relation with vapors undergoin dephle ation in said dephlegmator; an means or passing unvaporized oil from the first mentioned means directly to said chamber without passage throu h said coil.

8. hydrocarbon oil cracking apparatus comprising a heating coil, an enlarged chamber, a dephlegmator, a condenser and a receiver seriall connected in the order men tioned; distil ate heating means disposed in indirect heat exchange relation with said dephlegmator; means for passing distillate from said receiver to said heating means; and means for passing unvaporized oil from said heating means directly to said chamber without passage through said coil.

9. A hydrocarbon oil cracking apparatus comprising a heating coil, an enlarged chamber, a dephlegmator, a condenser and a receiver serially connected in the order mentioned; a distillatory vessel surrounding said dephlegmator and in indirect heat exchange relation therewith; means for passing distillate from said receiver to said vessel; condensation means communicating with said vessel; and means for passing unvaporized distillate from said vessel directly to said chamber without passage tl1I'Ol1%l said coil.

HARRY P. ENNER. 

